Racket sports: Beatty gets two-handed handle on how to hit for power

By Charlie Garfinkel

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

Updated: January 02, 2010, 9:38 PM /

Steve Beatty, 21, is a teaching tennis professional and Director of
Tournaments and Leagues at the Miller Tennis Center. He is also one of the
area's finest tennis players and just missed finishing in the Buffalo News's
tennis rankings of the Top Ten male players in Western New York this past
year.

Beatty's tennis game is somewhat of an enigma. He readily admits that he
has defeated players that he really should not have defeated. At the same time
he relates that he has lost matches to players that he should have beaten. Why
is this so?

Beatty's dilemma stems from the fact that he is the only player of his
caliber in WNY who hits two-handed shots on his forehand, backhand, volley,
and overhead. The only time he hits a shot with one hand is on his serve. On
rare occasions he might hit a one-handed overhead.

When Beatty is on his game his two-handed shots enable him to hit the ball
with amazing power, especially with his ground strokes when he is rallying and
returning serves. The two-hander allows him to hit uncanny angles, drop shots,
and swinging volleys.

Conversely, when Beatty is slightly off his game, his shots often start
missing by inches and even feet. However, Beatty is uncompromising. He will
continue playing his two-handed game, win or lose, as he has supreme
confidence in his game and feels that he will ultimately emerge with the win.
If he doesn't, so be it.

The highlight of Beatty's season last year was reaching the semifinals of
the Buffalo Muny Open where he played outstanding tennis. His matches always
attracted interested spectators who wanted to see this hard-hitting youngster
who hits almost everything with two hands. They weren't disappointed as he
defeated a strong array of opponents, including the highly regarded Dr. David
Carlson Jr. in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, his great run ended with a
resounding straight set loss to Stephen Sayoc in the semifinals.

Beatty is often asked how and why he decided to pursue a career in tennis
hitting almost every shot with two hands.

"When I was eight years old I started hitting tennis balls against my
garage with two hands on both my forehand and backhand," Beatty said.
"I really didn't know any better and it just felt comfortable to
me."

When Beatty was nine his parents took him to the Sportsplex Tennis Club to
take lessons with Jeff Laurie. Even though a two-handed backhand was prevalent
at that time and a two-handed forehand was virtually non-existent, Laurie was
amazed at the power Beatty could generate with his unconventional two-handed
forehand. Staying with it was a no-brainer as Beatty couldn't hit a one-handed
forehand with any power at all.

As Beatty's game progressed he found that by using the two-hander he could
hit with great power, hit unreal angles, disguise his shots as to hitting down
the line and cross-court, and returning serves with great power.

As he approached age 11 he started playing 12 & Under tournaments and
occasionally experimented with a one-handed forehand. He had nowhere near the
success he had with the two-handed forehand. Beatty also found himself in a
predicament. He was ambidextrous — throwing with his left hand, while
playing golf and writing with his right hand.

After awhile Beatty was tired of hearing how much better a one-handed
forehand would be for him than his two-hander. After much soul searching while
playing for Grand Island High School's tennis team as a seventh grader he
tried to develop a one-handed forehand over a period of time.

"I struggled for nine months and was losing to players I had usually
defeated," Beatty said. "I was so discouraged I was actually
thinking of quitting tennis. After a long talk with my dad we both agreed that
I wasn't really fleet of foot and that going back to the two-handed would be
my best move in returning shots. As soon as I went back to my two-handed
forehand my confidence quickly returned and I started playing much
better."

Shortly after, he defeated Ari Binder in straight sets in a 14 & under
tournament and continued to play tennis for Grand Island for a total of six
years. Predictably, he attained a 55-13 overall record, winning some matches
he should not have, and losing some he should have won.

During his time at Grand Island, Beatty gave credit to the Miller Tennis
Center teaching staff for improving all aspects of his game.

Although singles has always been his game Beatty is also becoming an
excellent doubles player. Other players have related that his return of serve
is so good they are not sure where they should serve to his forehand or
backhand side as he wreaks havoc with his deadly returns off both sides. As
for his net play he hits every volley with two hands and hits many high
swinging volleys. He will only hit a one-handed overhead if he can't reach the
shot with two hands. Beatty does serve with one hand and admits it isn't the
strongest part of his game. However, he places it well.

Beatty acknowledges that the two-handed forehand isn't for everyone.
However, he feels it is especially good for tiny tots and youngsters who can't
possibly hit the ball over the net with any control or power with a
one-hander. As they get older they can switch back to a one-hander.

Beatty also feels that juniors or adults who aren't sure which is their
dominant hand or players who feel that they can't the ball with any power
might be wise to try the two-handed forehand.

Like the old saying goes, "Try it! You might like it!"

Event concludes today

At 1 p.m. today, the semifinals for the Orville $5,000 Men's and San Marco
$1,500 Women's tournaments will be played at Miller Tennis Center. The women's
finals and third- and fourth-place playoffs will be at 4 p.m. The men's finals
and third- and fourth-place playoffs will be at 6 p.m.